Jing Jie Lian Qiao Tang
Classical TCM Formula Profile
Part of the HJMEDICAL TCM Discovery Center
荆芥连翘汤 · Jīng Jiè Lián Qiáo Tāng
A classical formula for wind-heat with heat-toxin affecting the head and face, often used for sore throat, nasal congestion and facial heat signs with an exterior component.
Read the complete guide →Quick Facts
- Formula Category
- Exterior-Releasing Formulas
- Primary Pattern
- Wind-Heat
- Primary Function
- Disperse wind, clear heat, resolve toxin
- Primary Therapeutic Principle
- Disperse exterior wind-heat and clear heat-toxin from the upper body
- Classical Source
- Wan Bing Hui Chun (Gong Tingxian, Ming dynasty)
- Available as Granules
- Yes
Formula Overview
A classical formula for wind-heat with heat-toxin affecting the head and face, often used for sore throat, nasal congestion and facial heat signs with an exterior component.
Therapeutic Principle
Traditionally selected for upper-body wind-heat with toxin features such as sore throat and facial heat, combining exterior release with stronger heat-clearing than Yin Qiao San.
Composition: Sovereign, Minister, Assistant, Envoy
Every herb in the formula, grouped by the job it does in the classical hierarchy.
君SovereignTreats the main pattern
臣MinisterReinforces the sovereign
黃芩Huang Qin6g
Scutellaria / Baikal Skullcap- clears heat from the lung
- stomach and liver-gallbladder
黃連Huang Lian3g
Coptis Rhizome- clears heart and stomach fire and dries damp-heat
梔子Zhi Zi6g
Gardenia Fruit- drains fire and relieves vexation
佐AssistantTreats accompanying patterns
柴胡Chai Hu6g
Bupleurum Root- courses liver qi
- raises the
- clears and releases shaoyang
桔梗Jie Geng6g
Platycodon Root- diffuses the lung and guides upward
當歸Dang Gui6g
Chinese Angelica Root- nourishes and and gently invigorates blood
川芎Chuan Xiong6g
Chuanxiong Rhizome- moves blood and qi and reaches the head and channels
白芍Bai Shao6g
White Peony Root- nourishes blood
- softens the liver and relieves spasmodic pain
防風Fang Feng6g
Saposhnikovia Root- dispels wind
白芷Bai Zhi6g
Angelica Dahurica Root- releases the exterior
- opens the nose and dries dampness
使EnvoyGuides and harmonises
Classical Composition
- Herba Schizonepetae (Jing Jie) 6g
- Fructus Forsythiae (Lian Qiao) 9g
- Radix Scutellariae (Huang Qin) 6g
- Rhizoma Coptidis (Huang Lian) 3g
- Fructus Gardeniae (Zhi Zi) 6g
- Radix Bupleuri (Chai Hu) 6g
- Radix Platycodonis (Jie Geng) 6g
- Radix Angelicae Sinensis (Dang Gui) 6g
- Rhizoma Chuanxiong (Chuan Xiong) 6g
- Radix Paeoniae Alba (Bai Shao) 6g
- Radix Saposhnikoviae (Fang Feng) 6g
- Radix Angelicae Dahuricae (Bai Zhi) 6g
- Radix et Rhizoma Glycyrrhizae (Gan Cao) 3g
Dosages follow the classical source and are shown for study, not as a prescription.
Related Conditions
Related Health Topics
Actions
- Releases wind-heat from the exterior and clears heat-toxin from the upper jiao.
Indications
- This formula is indicated for wind-heat-toxin in the upper jiao at an early exterior stage.
- Signs and symptoms include sore throat, fever, headache, and redness or swelling of the face or ears.
Tongue & pulseThe pulse is superficial and rapid.
Traditional Pathogenesis
Cause & mechanism
- This pattern is caused by externally contracted wind-heat that invades the lung-defense.
- Wind-heat-toxin in the upper jiao produces sore throat, fever and facial or ear swellings at an early exterior stage.
Clinical presentation
- Heat at the exterior produces fever, sore throat and a superficial rapid pulse, while constrained lung qi leads to cough.
Treatment strategy
- The correct method is to acrid-cool release the exterior and clear heat from the lung-defense.
- In this formula the emphasis is to disperse exterior wind-heat and clear heat-toxin from the upper body.
How does this formula compare?
Clinical Perspective
Jing Jie Lian Qiao Tang disperses wind-heat and clears toxin with a broader heat-clearing set. Yin Qiao San is the lighter early wind-heat formula. Jing Fang Bai Du San is more wind-cold-damp exterior releasing. Huang Lian Jie Du Tang is pure heat-toxin clearing without exterior release.
Clinical Differentiation
- Jing Jie Lian Qiao Tang is used for wind-heat-toxin in the upper jiao at an early exterior stage.
- The pattern is sore throat, fever and facial or ear swelling.
- It is distinguished from Yin Qiao San (milder wei-level warm disease) and from Pu Ji Xiao Du Yin (more intense head and face fire-toxin).
Safety notes: This formula is acrid-cool. It is not appropriate for wind-cold sore throat without heat signs.
For educational reference only, based on traditional pattern differentiation — not a substitute for professional advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the actions of Jing Jie Lian Qiao Tang?
Jing Jie Lian Qiao Tang has the actions of dispelling Wind, clearing Heat and toxins, dispersing stagnation, moving Blood, and regulating Qi. It is particularly suited for constrained Heat or toxic Heat affecting the head, face, and upper body, often in younger or heat-prone constitutions.
Which modern diseases is Jing Jie Lian Qiao Tang suited to?
Modern TCM and Kampo clinical practice commonly applies it to individuals whose pattern differentiation falls within Wind-Heat or constrained toxic Heat in the upper body, including inflammatory acne (especially facial), chronic or recurrent sinusitis, otitis media, tonsillitis, chronic rhinitis, and certain recurrent head/face inflammatory conditions in heat-type or “glandular” constitutions.
Is Jing Jie Lian Qiao Tang suitable for improving facial acne, sinus congestion, or recurrent ear/throat inflammation?
For presentations of red, inflamed acne (often on the face, cheeks, or jawline), thick yellow nasal or ear discharge, recurrent tonsillitis or sinus pressure, oily or reddish complexion, and signs of constrained Heat — in those whose pattern differentiation confirms Wind-Heat or toxic Heat stagnation — TCM commonly applies Jing Jie Lian Qiao Tang as an adjunct. It cannot replace standard medical treatment.
Related Products
Nong's Jing Jie Lian Qiao Tang (Schizonepeta and Forsythia Decoction) 5:1 Concentrated Granules
Related Articles
Jing Jie Lian Qiao Tang: Classic TCM Formula for Wind-Heat, Sore Throat & Exterior Heat
Yin Qiao San: Classic TCM Formula for Wind-Heat, Sore Throat & Early Stage Cold
Jing Fang Bai Du San: Classic TCM Formula for Exterior Wind-Cold-Damp with Stronger Release
Huang Lian Jie Du Tang: Classic TCM Formula for Fire Toxin, High Fever & Damp-Heat
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Medical Disclaimer
For general TCM education only — not medical advice. Consult a qualified TCM practitioner or licensed healthcare provider before use, especially if pregnant, nursing, on medication, or managing a chronic condition.